Small and Bush Fruits: Gooseberries 147 



on Ivy, and Apple, and Peach. This acarid attacks the buds and young 

 leaves, stunts their growth, and produces a curious dull mottling of the 

 leaves. 



The Gooseberry Bed Spider belongs to the genus Bryobia, which differs 

 from Tetranychus, the Red Spider of the Vine, &c., in that its first pair of 

 legs are longer than the other three pairs. The mites of this genus spin 

 no webbing of silk. The damage is done by the mites constantly sucking 

 the sap from the leaves. In colour this acarus is very variable. Some are 

 grey, others greenish, others rusty red, others leaden grey or bright red; 

 the legs are pale or dull reddish. In size the mature specimen may reach 

 about TjV in. During dull weather, in early spring, they collect in crevices 

 on the wood and under the rind upon it. In this manner they may be 

 seen in February, and usually of a rich red colour. When it becomes warm 

 and sunny the acari crawl about and feed on the buds and young leaves. 

 Later, when the leaves are older, they are found mainly on the under side 

 of them. As soon as it becomes dull, or turns cold, they take shelter at 

 once, and also return to shelter at night, In late March, but usually in 

 April, they start laying shiny red globular eggs on the wood, bases of 

 thorns, and between old bud scales. 



These eggs hatch in four or five days into small six-legged transparent 

 acari the larval Red Spiders. After moulting three times, they are ready 

 to breed again at the end of fourteen days. The winter seems to be passed 

 in both the egg and immature condition. 



PREVENTION AND TREATMENT. The old remedy for Red Spider was 

 liver of sulphur, at the rate of 3 to 5 oz. to 10 gall, of water. Now paraffin 

 jelly is found to be much more effectual. This is made by boiling 5 gall, 

 of paraffin and 8 Ib. of soft soap together, and whilst boiling add 1 pt. of 

 cold water and then well stir. This becomes a jelly on cooling, and can 

 be used at the rate of 10 Ib. to every 40 gall, of water. 



Other Gooseberry Pests. The Currant Clearwing (JZgeria tipuli- 

 formis), Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata), Dot Moth (Mamestra per- 

 sicarice), Winter Moth (Cheimatobia brumata), Clay-coloured Weevil 

 (Otiorhynchus picipes), Black-bodied Sawfly (Nematus appendiculatus), 

 Gooseberry Emphytus (Emphytus grossulariata), Gooseberry Aphis (Aphis 

 grossulariata), Currant Aphis (Myzus ribis), Brown Scale (Lecanium per- 

 sicce, var. sarothamni). (See also Vol. I, p. 166 et seq.) [F. v. T.] 



4. DISEASES OF THE GOOSEBERRY 



American Gooseberry Mildew (Sphcerotheca mors-uvce). I first 

 announced the occurrence of this dreadful parasite in Europe in the 

 Gardeners' Chronicle, 25 August 1900 (fig. 374). The specimens were sent 

 by Mr. (now Sir) F. Moore, F.L.S., and were obtained from County Antrim. 

 Soon after this announcement was made the hue and cry commenced, and 

 no political partisan ever succeeded in making more capital out of a point 



